Sherlock Gets An American Remake. . .And a Female Watson
CBS has green-lit their own version of Sherlock called Elementary, featuring Jonny Lee Miller (meh) as Sherlock and Lucy Liu (double meh) as Dr. Joan Watson. Te basic plot is as follows:
Elementary will see Johnny Lee Miller’s Holmes - breathe easy, everybody, he’s still English - as a former consultant to Scotland Yard whose drug addiction brings him to a rehabilitation center in NYC. Post-rehab, Holmes moves in with a “sober companion” in Brooklyn, Joan Watson, a “former surgeon who lost her medical license after a patient died while consulting with the NYPD.” - from TVline.
Interestingly, CBS approached the BBC about doing a joint Sherlock project after the success of Sherlock and BBC refused. I'm also reading that the BBC and Sue Vertue (the produce of Sherlock) threatened CBS with legal action if Elementary was too similar to Sherlock.
Two shows - airing at the same time - about a modern day Sherlock Holmes solving crimes with his doctor sidekick? Yeah, I could see a case. But, this isn't the first time two different networks would air similar shows. Plus, they are based on the same source material. So, both sides would probably have a case. I'm guessing that CBS has made a few changes to distance themselves from the BBC show. I'm also guessing that the BBC will try and downplay the quality of Elementary. (BTW: is anyone else annoyed that they are calling the show Elementary? I don't recall Holmes ever actually saying that in the books. Or am I forgetting something?)
All that aside, the big buzz about this show seems to be two things: having a Joan Watson and Lucy Liu is the cast.
I spoke with my sister about this issue. She is a hardcore Sherlock fan. She has seen the films, read all the stories, and watched all the shows based on the stories. And she hates the idea of a female Watson. Now, before you go and think that she's just butthurt that there will be no slashy undertones in the show - I'd like to point out that she is actually a believer in Watson/His Wife = true love and Sherlock is not interested in anyone sexually. She loves the epicness of the Watson/Holmes friendship, yes. But, she (to my knowledge) doesn't see them as a couple. Basically, she hates the idea of a favorite fictional character changing sexes.
I gave my thoughts (which were rambling and seems to have annoyed several people) in another person's journal. But, after having more time to think (and having more American shows with male "bromances" at the certain pointed out to me - a lot) and I have some new thoughts I'd like to share.
1. I do think CBS made Watson a female for a reason. I don't know what it is, but I think it could have to do with threats of being sued. That or they wanted to try and modernize the stories even more with: "Look a woman with a career who helps solves crime." Or maybe they realize that Holmes/Watson has a shippy following? CBS is a rather conservative network, and they may not like the idea of people wanting a romantic pairing between two men. I'm sure there are shippers for some of Hawaii 5.0's male characters, but they might not be as vocal.
2. I do not care for Lucy Liu and I do not want her in the role of Watson. I'm sorry toward any of her fans, but I really dislike her as an actress.
3. I'm fine that they want to turn Watson into a woman. But, I do understand that some fans of the original stories are pissed about it. I'd be a bit pissed if one of my favorite fictional characters was changed from male to female or from female to male. For me, it's a matter of fond memories while reading the story and picturing the character.
Elementary will see Johnny Lee Miller’s Holmes - breathe easy, everybody, he’s still English - as a former consultant to Scotland Yard whose drug addiction brings him to a rehabilitation center in NYC. Post-rehab, Holmes moves in with a “sober companion” in Brooklyn, Joan Watson, a “former surgeon who lost her medical license after a patient died while consulting with the NYPD.” - from TVline.
Interestingly, CBS approached the BBC about doing a joint Sherlock project after the success of Sherlock and BBC refused. I'm also reading that the BBC and Sue Vertue (the produce of Sherlock) threatened CBS with legal action if Elementary was too similar to Sherlock.
Two shows - airing at the same time - about a modern day Sherlock Holmes solving crimes with his doctor sidekick? Yeah, I could see a case. But, this isn't the first time two different networks would air similar shows. Plus, they are based on the same source material. So, both sides would probably have a case. I'm guessing that CBS has made a few changes to distance themselves from the BBC show. I'm also guessing that the BBC will try and downplay the quality of Elementary. (BTW: is anyone else annoyed that they are calling the show Elementary? I don't recall Holmes ever actually saying that in the books. Or am I forgetting something?)
All that aside, the big buzz about this show seems to be two things: having a Joan Watson and Lucy Liu is the cast.
I spoke with my sister about this issue. She is a hardcore Sherlock fan. She has seen the films, read all the stories, and watched all the shows based on the stories. And she hates the idea of a female Watson. Now, before you go and think that she's just butthurt that there will be no slashy undertones in the show - I'd like to point out that she is actually a believer in Watson/His Wife = true love and Sherlock is not interested in anyone sexually. She loves the epicness of the Watson/Holmes friendship, yes. But, she (to my knowledge) doesn't see them as a couple. Basically, she hates the idea of a favorite fictional character changing sexes.
I gave my thoughts (which were rambling and seems to have annoyed several people) in another person's journal. But, after having more time to think (and having more American shows with male "bromances" at the certain pointed out to me - a lot) and I have some new thoughts I'd like to share.
1. I do think CBS made Watson a female for a reason. I don't know what it is, but I think it could have to do with threats of being sued. That or they wanted to try and modernize the stories even more with: "Look a woman with a career who helps solves crime." Or maybe they realize that Holmes/Watson has a shippy following? CBS is a rather conservative network, and they may not like the idea of people wanting a romantic pairing between two men. I'm sure there are shippers for some of Hawaii 5.0's male characters, but they might not be as vocal.
2. I do not care for Lucy Liu and I do not want her in the role of Watson. I'm sorry toward any of her fans, but I really dislike her as an actress.
3. I'm fine that they want to turn Watson into a woman. But, I do understand that some fans of the original stories are pissed about it. I'd be a bit pissed if one of my favorite fictional characters was changed from male to female or from female to male. For me, it's a matter of fond memories while reading the story and picturing the character.